West Islip students introduce Young Women's Forum, share Belize trip experiences

Damiana Beige, a junior at West High School, told the Board of Education that she founded the Young Women's Forum this year to unite and inspire young women in the district and now counts more than 75 members. "I organized this year to unite and inspire the women of this community," Damiana said, describing programs on self-defense, women's health and career exposure and thanking faculty advisors who helped launch the club.

The board praised the club's early work and the students' leadership. A student vice president described events the group has run, including a feminine-hygiene drive whose donations were given to Planned Parenthood and a bake sale that raised about $200. "We hold a feminine hygiene drive, and we donated those items to Planned Parenthood," a student said.

Students returning from a Belize trip also addressed the board. Student speakers described visiting a local school, interacting with children and seeing cultural performances. "The smiles they all had on our faces brought most of us so much joy," one student said, recalling a school anthem performance that made several students emotional. Chaperones and teachers thanked the district for supporting the experience and noted observable student growth.

The board and administrators encouraged continued community connections for the club and praised staff who chaperoned and organized the trip. The presentation concluded with board thanks and recognition of the students' leadership and the district's support for experiential learning.